Daily GK Updates - 8th July, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Bank provides $400 million for Namami Gange programme: The World Bank has signed loan agreement worth $400 million with the Government of India on 7th July 2020 to enhance support for the Namami Gange programme that seeks to rejuvenate the Ganga river. The $400 million operation includes loan of $381 million and a proposed Guarantee of up to $19 million. This is the first-ever IBRD Guarantee for wastewater treatment and also the first IBRD Guarantee in the water sector in India. The World Bank has been supporting the government’s efforts since 2011.

Note: President of World Bank: David Malpass.

2. PM Modi to unveil Asia’s largest solar plant in MP: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Asia's largest 750 MW Rewa Ultra-Mega Solar plants in Madhya Pradesh via video conferencing on July 10. A Rewa Ultra-Mega Solar plant is constructed in the Rewa district of Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the largest single-site solar power plants in Asia.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel (additional charge)

3. NHRC sets up panel, headed by Dr K S Reddy, to assess Covid-19 impact on human rights: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has constituted an 11-member expert committee to study the impact of Covid-19 on human rights and future response of the government. The expert panel would be headed by Dr K S Reddy, president of Public Health Foundation of India. Key Functions of the expert committee: (1) Assess the impact of Covid-19 on human rights of people, especially marginalised and vulnerable sections of the society, including migrant labourers; (2) Suggest the future policy for the Centre and state governments based on the best practices being followed abroad and even in India.

4. West Bengal Government Launches Document Scanning App ‘SelfScan’: The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee has launched a new document scanning app called ‘SelfScan’. It has been developed by the state’s information technology department. The app has been launched by the state after the Indian government banned 59 Chinese applications in the country. The new SelfScan app by the state government of West Bengal is an alternative to the popular document scanning Chinese mobile app CamScanner.

Note: Chief Minister of West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee; Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar.

5. NSDC Partners with Microsoft to empower Indian youth with digital skills: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Microsoft have entered into a strategic partnership on 8 July 2020, to provide digital skills to over 1 lakh youth in India over the next 12 months, to transform India into a skilled nation. The NSDC-Microsoft partnership is an extension of Microsoft’s global skilling initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire new digital skills needed for the Covid-19 economy. Under this partnership Microsoft will integrate its learning resource centre ‘Microsoft Learn’ with NSDC’s eSkill India digital portal to provide free access to personalised learning resources and conduct digital skilling awareness drives, to equipp the next generation of learners with the skills they need to thrive in a digital economy.

Note: CEO & MD of National Skill Development Corporation: Manish Kumar.

6. Jharkhand launches immunization drive for 44K kids of migrant workers: The Jharkhand health department has launched a major campaign to immunize the deprived children. The Jharkhand Health Department identified the children during an intensive door-to-door survey. The children between age group of zero to five who stayed with their parents at workplace in different states were deprived of immunization due to ignorance or time crunch due to work pressure. A senior official in the state health department, who monitors immunization said they have set a target to immunize 8.30 lakh children between the age group of zero to five this year.

7. Govt launches PM FME scheme to help micro food processing enterprises: The government launched a Rs 10,000 crore scheme for micro enterprises which offers 50% subsidy for storage and transportation to prevent distress sale by farmers. The scheme, called Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (PM FME), aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets. The scheme will be implemented for five years until 2024-25. It will generate investment of Rs 35,000 core, generate 900,000 jobs and help 800,000 units.

8. COVID-19 War Room to be set up in Delhi to check the spread of virus: The Delhi government will set up a ‘COVID-19 War Room’, which will 24×7 monitor the city’s fight against the novel coronavirus, and suggest measures to effectively deal with the prevailing situation. The ‘COVID-19 War Room’, which is being set up at the Delhi Secretariat, will be manned by around 25 experts. It is expected to become operational in the next few days.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 4th edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action held: The fourth edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was co-chaired by European Union, China and Canada. In the meeting, India was represented by the Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar. The meeting witnessed the countries deliberating on how countries are aligning economic recovery plans with the Paris Agreement as well as the critical enabling conditions to ensure continued climate action. The virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was held with prime objective of demonstrating the continued political commitment to global climate action. It also aimed to further the discussions on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was attended by Ministers and representatives of about 30 countries and was held virtually in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Germany to become first major economy to phase out coal, nuclear power: German lawmakers have finalized the country’s long-awaited phase-out of coal as an energy source, backing a plan that environmental groups say isn’t ambitious enough and free marketeers criticise as a waste of taxpayers’ money. Bills approved by both houses of parliament envision shutting down the last coal-fired power plant by 2038 and spending some 40 billion euros ($45 billion) to help affected regions cope with the transition. The plan is part of Germany’s ‘energy transition’ – an effort to wean Europe’s biggest economy off planet-warming fossil fuels and generate all of the country’s considerable energy needs from renewable sources.

3. Coronavirus will cost global tourism at least $1.2 trillion: UNCTAD: The world’s tourism sector could lose at least $1.2 trillion, or 1.50 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), having been placed at a standstill for nearly four months due to the coronavirus pandemic, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in a report. The UN’s trade and development body warned that the loss could rise to $2.2 trillion or 2.80 per cent of the world’s GDP if the break in international tourism lasts for eight months, in line with the expected decline in tourism as projected by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

4. Bangladesh launches 'Digital Haat' for sacrificial animals: Bangladesh has launched ‘Digital Haat’ for online sale and purchase of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-Ul-Azha. The step is taken to save the cattle farmers and traders from financial loss amid the Corona and also to stop further transmission of the infection in the country. For buying and purchasing animals, people have to register for free over this platform. This will be promoted through govt website and social networking sites

ICT State Minister: Zunaid Ahmed Palak

5. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson becomes Instagram’s highest-paid celebrity: Wrestler-turned-actor, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been named Instagram’s highest-paid celebrity. Dwayne has dethroned Kylie Jenner as Instagram’s highest-paid celebrity. According to social media marketing firm Hopper HQ, Johnson has 189 million followers while Jenner has 183 million followers. Also on this year’s list were pro soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, who charged about $889,000 per post and Jenner’s Sister Kim Kardashian, who could charge $858,000.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Sumit Nagal wins PSD Bank Nord Open tournament in Germany: Rising tennis star Sumit Nagal has become the first Indian to win an international tournament in the Covid-19 era after he lifted the PSD Bank Nord Open trophy, a locally organised clay court tournament in Germany.  Nagal, , who is currently India’s highest-ranked singles player at 127, recently defeated second seed German Daniel Masur 6-1, 6-3 in the final match at the tournament held at the Pinneberg tennis club.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Fino Payments Bank launches ‘Bhavishya’ Savings Account for minor children: Fino Payments Bank Limited (FPBL) has launched a savings bank account ‘Bhavishya’ for minor children aged between 10 and 18 years on 7th July 2020 to make children banking ready from early age and inculcate a savings habit among them. Bhavishya is an annual subscription-based savings account, which can be opened with just Rs. 349 (inclusive of GST). Initially, the bank is introducing the Bhavishya Savings Account in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh and gradually it will launch in other states. Key Features of Bhavishya Savings Account:

(1) Monthly Average Balance requirement: Nil; (2) Free Platinum RuPay Debit card which can be used at ATMs only to withdraw cash with Aadhaar authentication; (3) Accidental Insurance/Permanent disability cover of upto Rs.2 Lakhs linked with Rupay Platinum Debit Card

(4) Upto 5 free ATM transactions in a month; (5) Free cash deposit limit upto Rs.25,000 per month; (6) Free cash withdrawal at Fino Bank branches; (7) For security reasons minor should have a mobile number that is different from the parent’s number; (8) Upon attaining 18 years of age, the BhavishyaSavings Account will be upgraded to regular savings account on submission of Re-KYC with updated info.

2. Karur Vysya Bank ties up with Star Health Insurance for health insurance products: The Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) has entered into a partnership with Star Health and Allied Insurance Co to provide a wide range of health insurance options to its customers. According to the partnership, all the health insurance products of Star Health & Allied Insurance will be made available through all 780 branches of the Karur Vysya Bank. This agreement will help the bank to provide cost-effective insurance products and quick settlement of claims to its customers.

Note: Headquarters of Karur Vysya Bank: Karur, Tamil Nadu; Chairman of Karur Vysya Bank: N. S. Srinath; KVB President: J Natarajan.

3. Equitas Small Finance Bank launches video KYC account: Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited has launched a facility of opening account through video KYC. With this, any person anywhere in the country can open a savings account with Equitas Small Finance Bank; complete the full KYC through video with the Bank employee. The new video KYC account is a step forward towards our vision. This will ensure contact less, no branch visit and hassle free account opening and transactions for customers.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Ola partners with PhonePe for digital payments: Mobility platform Ola has entered into a partnership with digital payments platform PhonePe to expand payment options for riders. The partnership will help the mobility platform enable better digital payments experience on its Ola app. Ola customers across the country will now be able to pay for their ride using PhonePe. It will also benefit the digital payments platform in order to help it expand its user base. Ola’s customers can use all of PhonePe’s payment options, including the PhonePe wallet, to make payments in addition to UPI.

Note: CEO of Ola: Bhavish Aggarwal; Headquarters location of Ola: Bengaluru, Karnataka.

CEO of Phonepe: Sameer Nigam; Headquarters location of Phonepe: Bengaluru, Karnataka.

2. UKIBC Appoints Jayant Krishna as new group CEO: Jayant Krishna has been appointed as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the the UK India Business Council (UKIBC). His appointment will be effective from August 3, 2020. Jayant is the first Indian to be appointed as UKIBC Group CEO. Krishna takes over from Richard Heald, who held the position at the Council for a term of 10 years, since September 2010. Prior to this, Jayant Krishna has served as the CEO of Prime Minister’s Skill India mission as well as the Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Richard is being alleviated to take the role of Chair from 1 September 2020. He will be succeeding the current Chair, Lord Davies of Abersoch.

OBITUARIES

1. British actor Earl Cameron passes away: British film and television actor Earl Cameron (102 years) passed away. His first appearance on screen was in 1951 film Pool of London. He was appointed as the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours. He was also worked in 1965 Bond movie Thunderball and Doctor Who and 2005 film The Interpreter along with Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman. Queen with Hellen Mirren (2006) and Inception (2010) are his other famous films.